1. The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005
Oral
Presentations
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

2. This presentation will answer these five questions...
What are the different types of presentations?
What are the elements of the communication process?
How do you create an effective presentation?
What are the elements of all good presentations?
What “pitfalls” should you try to avoid?
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

3. The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005
Three Goals
To turn nervousness into confidence
To learn how to evaluate a presentation
To advise others to become better presenters
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

4. #1: The Different Types of Presentations
You could make a thousand different types of presentations …
Informing
Demonstration
Definition
Description
Expository
Persuasion
Be sure you know exactly what is being asked of you… if you have to persuade you will prepare quite a different presentation than if you have to inform or define and demonstrate..
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

5. #1: The Different Types of Presentations
Impromptu - “Off the cuff”
Memorized - Recited
Manuscript - Read
Prepared - Spoken with cue cards
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

6. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
Message
Speaker
Listener
Response
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

7. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
Key learning …
Speakers must be aware of all aspects of a presentation, NOT just how they are feeling at that moment …
the speaker is only one part of the whole ….
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

8. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
REMEMBER...
You have the audience and, more importantly, the message to think about.
Realize this and you should begin to take control over your anxiety.
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

9. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
Speaker – The speaker wants to communicate an idea
Message – The speaker puts the idea into a structured message
Channel – The message is sent through a channel to the audience
STRUCTURED IS THE KEY WORD HERE… you want to spend as much time structuring your talk as you can… just like you would structure a paper to make the most impact with your argument
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

10. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
Audience – the audience receives and interprets the message
Response – the audience responds to the message
The Audience will only receive and decode the message if it is EXACLTY right for their needs and abilities – and the speaker tries to learn about that before presenting so the presentation is “tailored” to the needs of the audience
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

11. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
The speaker must focus on words, attitude, tone, and outward appearance
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

12. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
The listener has needs which you - the speaker - are trying to meet.
Just as you would “write for your readers”, you should try to “speak for your listeners, not for yourself.”
THE KEY WORD HERE IS STRIVE.. Not all speakers always speak exactly for their listeners… that’s why paying attention to response is so important – in writing and in speaking
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

13. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
Message = Content + Form
Content – the information you want to deliver
Form – Structure of the message, the style, the features of delivery
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

14. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
Response
Pay attention to the reaction of the audience during and after the speech
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

15. #2: Elements of the Communication Process
RESPONSES to a speech can include:
non-verbal or verbal responses before and during speech
questions right after speech
questions and comments received later
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

16. Use the RESPONSE to your presentation to become a better presenter
#2: Elements of the Communication Process
Use the
RESPONSE
to your presentation to become a better presenter
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

17. #3: Creating a Presentation
Presenting
is only one part
of the equation!
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

18. #3: Creating a Presentation Successful presentations involve
Planning & Practice
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

19. #3: Creating a Presentation
The more you
PLAN and PRACTICE,
the less nervous
you will be.
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

20. #3: Creating a Presentation
The more you
PLAN and PRACTICE,
the more effective
you will be.
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

21. #3: Creating a Presentation
Pfieffer uses the outline ROTGD to help you think about planning your presentation
Research
Organization
Text
Graphics
Delivery
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

22. #3: Creating a Presentation
Planning and writing
your presentation should be given equal or more importance than the delivery
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

23. #3: Creating a Presentation
Research
Who is the audience?
What is the purpose?
How much time to speak?
Know the topic . . .
often easy in Univ. because you often present the content of papers you have already written OR you are presenting info you need to hand in after the presentation
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

24. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
Organization
Introduction - Tell them what you are going to tell them
Body - Tell them
Conclusion - Tell them what you told them
This cliché has it’s place but the next slides talk about the speech outline more specifically
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

25. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
The Introduction:
Opener
Objective
Preview
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

26. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
The Body
Key Point 1, Supporting Material, Transition
Key Point 2, Supporting Material, Transition
Key Point 3, Supporting Material, Transition
Remember you have a limited amount of time – gauge the volume of content carefully.
You don’t have to say “I want to talk about three things today”.. You can just say “I want to talk about X, Y and Z. I think these are important because A, B and C. You don’t always have to number off your points – but it is a technique some people find useful to keep themselves on track and it’s become a standard in presentation – the more accomplished you are the more you will find ways to deal with this…
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

27. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
The Conclusion
Summary
To Do
The “TO DO” idea comes from HOW TO PRESENT LIKE A PRO… pages 41 and 42 Pne measure of your effectiveness is how well the message affects the audience… three types of TO DO
REMINDER – remind them of a significant principle you talked about… to reach one objective of your speech TO UNDERSTAND… remember… a balanced diet is the best diet
Application – “Take a moment to write down these three techniques for better presentations” meets the objective > to be able to do something you may not have done before
APPROVAL You ask the audience to approve your discussion… My presentation is available on my website… please use it to spread the word about balanced nutrition” Objective reached? > TO DO…
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

28. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
Text
Simple descriptive words are better
Never read from a script
Never memorize a script
Use cue cards with major points written in large letters (the script)
Text is like the FORMAT of you speech or the FONT of the speech… you must connect to and relate to your audience and text on a piece of paper will only distract you from doing that… you have to know what you want to say and then say it…
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

29. for slides or overheads try not to put more than 7 words on 7 lines
#4: Elements of a Good Presentation
Rule of 7
for slides or overheads
try not to put more than
7 words on 7 lines
the fewer words the better – people can’t read more than this especially if you are in a large room… the slide should act as an anchor for the bulk of the words you want to say and give an overall impression that you took care to prepare and are professional or knowledgeable about the topic.
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

30. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
Graphics
Fit the setting
Support the message
Wake the audience
Used sparingly
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

31. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
and are…
Pictorial
Colorful
Creative
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

32. #4: Elements of a Good Presentation
Delivery
Energetic – enthusiastic
Delivered with care
Be careful with hand gestures
An example of this might be rudeness… don’t point at people Rather >> Use your open hand to emphasize a point
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

33. #5: The Pitfalls to Avoid
Mispronunciation
Filler words:
ahhhs, ummmms, uhhhs, “you know”, “right?”
Not being heard
Uninteresting voice
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

34. #5: The Pitfalls to Avoid
Ineffective gesturing
Equipment not working
Using visual aids incorrectly
Wrong clothes
Opening with a joke
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

35. #5: The Pitfalls to Avoid
Poor eye contact
Weak introduction
Ineffective transitions
Weak conclusion (Thank You!)
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

36. Overcome Nervous Anxiety
Goals to Achieve...
Overcome Nervous Anxiety
Change the nervousness to confidence
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

37. adds energy to a presentation
Confidence
adds energy to a presentation
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

38. Overcome Nervous Anxiety
It is not fear you are feeling; it is nervousness
Identify the source – self-consciousness
Recognize the solution – your ability
Think positively – I am … I can ... I know …
Relax
Gather support from the audience
Self-conscious – we evaluate ourselves against a mental picture we have of perfection and we fall short so we think we aren’t any good
Affirm… I am intelligent, I can do all sorts of things, I have a degree, traveled around the world.. To be somewhere else in an hour
- relax….
Support… find even one person to connect with who is positive about the talk and enjoy that positive energy…
In honour of international women’s day… words of a great woman…
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt, 'This Is My Story,' 1937
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

39. The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005
Evaluating a presentation means making a critique of both the strong and weak aspects, not just a criticism.
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

40. Evaluating a Presentation
Focus on the positive
Tell presenters what you liked
If someone is doing something that really does not work, show them a technique that does work
Do not criticize without providing a solution or suggestion
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

41. created, organized, and delivered
Focus on the message, but also think about how the presentation is
created, organized, and delivered
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

42. How did the audience respond to your presentation?
Critical Reflection...
How did the audience respond to your presentation?
What did you do well?
What skills do you need to improve before your next presentation?
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

43. Remember… Present yourself positively every chance you get.
Eleanor Roosevelt – spouse of the now-deceased US President Teddy Roosevelt is credited with saying “Do one scary thing every day” – we learn by stretching ourselves so stretch yourself and learn how to do presentations
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005

44. The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005
References
Arredondo, Lani. How to Present Like a Pro: Getting People to See Things Your Way. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc., 1991.
Koch, Arthur. Speaking With a Purpose. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn Bacon, 2001.
Pfeiffer, William S. Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Good MLA Format
The Writing Centre - StFX University, 2005